Regional conference on ‘Digital Solutions for Cross Border Cooperation and Trade Facilitation’
Yerevan, Armenia, 18-19th November 2019
CIF Consulting was invited to share industry insights and expertise at a two-day conference which included the official signings of agreements to help facilitate trade between Armenia and Iran, and Armenia and Georgia.
David Roff took part in a plenary session and panel debate to advise on the use of advanced supply chain data and the impact it can have in relation to border risk management and customs.
The conference was organised by Armenia with the support of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to share experience and initiatives in customs digitisation.
It was attended by customs administrators and experts from international organisations and the private sector representing 17 countries.
The conference supports the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals – a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
The common theme throughout the conference was that data exchange was essential to efficient border management for B2G (business to government) and G2G (government to government).
Presentations were a mix of traditional and new approaches to exchanging data to facilitate trade and border management.
Armenia has a single window system and continues to work on developing the Reform and Modernisation Monitoring Activities and Projects and Single Window Interactive Map (RAMMAP-SWIM).
It is also part of the WCO Mercator programme which supports the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, offering a tailor made track to implement digital customs with results based management.
CIF Consulting offered a private sector perspective at the plenary session entitled ‘Exchange of customs information as an effective tool for cross-border co-operation and trade facilitation’.
Other panellists included Kristina Mazmanyan, Project Manager at IUnetworks; Uwe Liebschner, Customs and Foreign Trade Consultant at dbh Logistics in Germany and Chairman of IPCSA Customs Committee; Vahe Ghazaryan, Chief Marketing Officer at Globbing.
David explained: “There were some really interesting conversations during the conference and encouraging steps are being taken to improve processes around collecting and paying customs in Armenia.
“The conference was an opportunity for people to find out more about proven best practises and different ways of working. Our comments and ideas were well received and we look forward to progress being made as digitalisation within the transport and logistics continues to gather momentum.”
The conference closed with a cultural visit and dinner at the famous Megerian Carpet Museum.